Windows XP "FAX"

Installed Windows "FAX" in Windows XP Home, Since there is no instruction manual, I printed out the help file, after spending an afternoon to read through all the 57 pages of repetitions, redundancy etc. I still don't know how to send and manually receive a simple FAX. It took me 3 pages and fifteen minutes to figure out that the "local fax device" means my fax modem. And when you get to "configurations "... Is this written for a man from Mars?
Anyhow, I would appreciate the guidance to a page or two simple step by step instruction (Manual?)

 

Set up the 'fax machine' as a device in your printers folder.

Send a document to the fax machine as you would to any other listed printer. That should take care of the sending piece.

Receiving is a little trickier. You can certainly have the 'fax machine' set to answer inbound phone calls but in that case, unless it's a dedicated line, folks trying to make voice calls to you will probably not be happy when the fax machine answers and they get those nasty answering noises.

 

Thanks Newt;
I found an article by Sharon Crawford, which was just what I was looking for.Simple and only a few pages.
Your advise about incoming call is well taken. Since my need is only a few fax-es per month, I don't need a dedicated phone line. Sending OK, but to receive a fax I plan to do the following:
I will advise the sender on the phone that I don't have a fax machine but he can send me a fax in 3 minutes on the same number. Then I will split off the phone line and plug it into my modem and start FAX. So by the time the fax comes in the computer will answer and receive the fax. I will disconnect the modem as soon as the fax is received.
Is this OK?

 

Warn me when you want to send a fax - that's exactly the way we do it.

How about a link to that article. I save that sort of stuff because most any question ever asked on here will be asked more than once.

Also, chances are this thread will be read by folks searching for Fax help who don't want to open a new thread if they can locate an answer and that link would likely help them.

 

Faxing in Windows XP.

... and HNY!

 

1) Sending a one page fax, ie. cover page only call up the fax program and make the coversheet and send it.

2) Sending a Word File is a bit different: You send it from the Word document under FILE. But it gets tricky. First you have to tell it no coverpage. Then the thing will go through the motions and then get a cover page.

I use WinFax. It's much simpler and better. Sniff around the internet. You can get it cheap.

 

Newt; The link is provided by brett on Dec 31 (Faxing in WindowsXP), but here it is anyhow:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/crawford_02october21.mspx

 

Thanx.